Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Overwhelming Firepower

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. Overwhelming Firepower Marker

Inscription. The Union siege of Vicksburg was  successful because of places like this.  At Battery De Golyer, the Union army  concentrated its cannon. Confederates  spread theirs out. When a Confederate  cannon fired, many Union guns replied,  knocking out the enemy gun.

Confederate General Pemberton moved  his artillery back. Without the threat of  enemy shells, Union troops dug toward  Confederate lines. Battery De Golyer  continued to pound Confederate  fortifications and troops. After 47 days,  weakened Confederates were  forced to surrender.

Straight Shot
 This is one of the few spots today with a clear view of the enemy's defenses. During the siege  this was true across the entire battlefield. Why?  Long before the war, settlers had cleared the  heavily wooded land in this area for farming.  Later Confederate forces cut down any  remaining trees to build fortifications and  eliminate cover for approaching enemy troops.

 Since the Civil War, forests have grown up,  blocking most of the views between the  Confederate and Union positions.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • War, US Civil.

Location. 32° 21.27′ N, 90° 50.462′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Union Avenue, 0.3 miles east of Pemberton Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located at Tour Stop 1 - Battery De Golyer. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Union Avenue, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U.S. 3D Battery, (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. 3rd Div. 17th Corps Army of the Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Yost's Independent Ohio Battery; (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. Battery L. (about 400 feet away); U.S. 6th Battery, (approx. 0.2 miles away); 93rd Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Isaac F. Quinby (approx. ¼ mile away); George B. Boomer (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

One of the few places in the park with a clear view of battlefield. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. One of the few places in the park with a clear view of battlefield.

From this position a battery of guns, including those from the 8th Michigan Artillery commanded by Capt. Samuel De Golyer, hammered the Confederate Great Redoubt directly ahead. At one time as many as 22 Federal artillery pieces were positioned here. Captain De Golyer was mortally wounded while directing the fire of this battery.

View of some of the cannons at Battery De Golyer. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

3. View of some of the cannons at Battery De Golyer.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 524 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.